This fall, Bethany's Confirmation class has been exploring the major themes of the Bible and reflecting on stories that reveal the larger story God is telling through scripture. These devotionals follow that same path, inviting you to pause, reflect, and discover how each theme connects to your own journey of faith.
Jerusalem | Forgetfulness | Monday
After Mt. Sinai and wandering in the wilderness and judges and kings and a handful of prophets and a whole lot of other events the Israelites finally established themselves as a mighty nation in Jerusalem and things seemed really good. They had a kingdom and a king and a fancy Temple. Only one problem, when everything is going well that can often cause you to forget about God.
The prophet Jeremiah shared this message of God with the forgetful Israelites:
Jeremiah 18:12-17
12 But they say, “It is no use! We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of our evil will.”
13 Therefore thus says the Lord:
Ask among the nations:
Who has heard the like of this?
The virgin Israel has done
a most horrible thing.
14 Does the snow of Lebanon leave
the crags of Sirion?
Do the mountain waters run dry,
the cold flowing streams?
15 But my people have forgotten me,
they burn offerings to a delusion;
they have stumbled in their ways,
in the ancient roads,
and have gone into bypaths,
not the highway,
16 making their land a horror,
a thing to be hissed at forever.
All who pass by it are horrified
and shake their heads.
17 Like the wind from the east,
I will scatter them before the enemy.
I will show them my back, not my face,
in the day of their calamity.
In Jerusalem, God became angry with the Israelite people for their forgetfulness. They forgot the promises of God and their identity as God’s chosen people. This week, we will explore the importance of remembering God’s promises and our identity as Children of God.
Jerusalem | Forgetfulness | Monday
After Mt. Sinai and wandering in the wilderness and judges and kings and a handful of prophets and a whole lot of other events the Israelites finally established themselves as a mighty nation in Jerusalem and things seemed really good. They had a kingdom and a king and a fancy Temple. Only one problem, when everything is going well that can often cause you to forget about God.
The prophet Jeremiah shared this message of God with the forgetful Israelites:
Jeremiah 18:12-17
12 But they say, “It is no use! We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of our evil will.”
13 Therefore thus says the Lord:
Ask among the nations:
Who has heard the like of this?
The virgin Israel has done
a most horrible thing.
14 Does the snow of Lebanon leave
the crags of Sirion?
Do the mountain waters run dry,
the cold flowing streams?
15 But my people have forgotten me,
they burn offerings to a delusion;
they have stumbled in their ways,
in the ancient roads,
and have gone into bypaths,
not the highway,
16 making their land a horror,
a thing to be hissed at forever.
All who pass by it are horrified
and shake their heads.
17 Like the wind from the east,
I will scatter them before the enemy.
I will show them my back, not my face,
in the day of their calamity.
In Jerusalem, God became angry with the Israelite people for their forgetfulness. They forgot the promises of God and their identity as God’s chosen people. This week, we will explore the importance of remembering God’s promises and our identity as Children of God.
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2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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